Truth Definitions and Consistency Proofs
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TRUTH DEFINITIONS AND CONSISTENCY PROOFS BY HAO WANG 1. Introduction. From investigations by Carnap, Tarski, and others, we know that given a system S, we can construct in some stronger system S' a criterion of soundness (or validity) for 5 according to which all the theorems of 5 are sound. In this way we obtain in S' a consistency proof for 5. The consistency proof so obtained, which in no case with fairly strong systems could by any stretch of imagination be called constructive, is not of much interest for the purpose of understanding more clearly whether the system S is reliable or whether and why it leads to no contradictions. However, it can be of use in studying the interconnection and relative strength of different systems. For example, if a consistency proof for 5 can be formalized in S', then, according to Gödel's theorem that such a proof cannot be formalized in 5 itself, parts of the argument must be such that they can be formalized in S' but not in S. Since S can be a very strong system, there arises the ques- tion as to what these arguments could be like. For illustration, the exact form of such arguments will be examined with respect to certain special systems, by applying Tarski's "theory of truth" which provides us with a general method for proving the consistency of a given system 5 in some stronger system S'. It should be clear that the considerations to be presented in this paper apply to other systems which are stronger than or as strong as the special systems we use below. Originally the studies reported here were motivated by a desire to look more carefully into the following somewhat puzzling situation. Let 5 be a system containing the usual second-order predicate calculus with the usual number theory as its theory of individuals, and S' be a system related to 5 as an (« + l)th order predicate calculus is to an wth except that we do not use variables of the (n + l)th type in defining classes of lower types. Tarski's assertions seem to lead us to believe that we can prove the con- sistency of 5 in 5'. On the other hand, it is known that if S is consistent then .S has a model in the domain of natural numbers. But if .S has such a model, then, we seem also to be able to argue, S' has a model in 5 because 5 con- tains both natural numbers and their classes. Therefore, we can formalize (so it appears) these arguments in S' and prove within S' that if 5 is con- sistent then S' is. If that be the case we shall have a proof of the consistency of S' within S' and therefore, by Gödel's theorem on consistency proofs, S' (and probably also S) will be inconsistent. Indeed, since we need at least a system like S' to develop analysis and since these reasonings do not depend Received by the editors April 26, 1951 and, in revised form, August 24, 1951. 243 License or copyright restrictions may apply to redistribution; see https://www.ams.org/journal-terms-of-use 244 HAO WANG [September on peculiar features of the systems under consideration, we shall be driven to the conclusion that practically every system adequate to analysis is in- consistent. In trying to examine exactly where the above arguments break down, we have found it helpful to formalize more explicitly certain truth definitions and consistency proofs with such definitions. The results of such formaliza- tions as presented below, it is thought, bring out more clearly than usual certain features in the procedures of constructing truth definitions and prov- ing consistency. For example, the use of impredicative classes is dispensable for defining truth but does not seem so for proving consistency; whether the number of axioms of a system to be proved consistent is finite or infinite seems also to imply much difference in formalizing a consistency proof; and the employment of variables of higher types in defining classes of a given type engenders essentially new classes even for systems which contain otherwise already certain impredicative classes. It turns out that the arguments of a paragraph back break down because of the relativity of number theory to the underlying set theory. As a result, certain intuitively simple reasonings cannot be formalized in even very strong systems. Thus, for systems S and S' related as above, no matter how strong they are, the following results hold for them if they are consistent. If natural numbers are taken as primitive notions or introduced with the same definitions in both 5 and S', then (1) for some predicate (p in S', we can show that (j>(0), 4>(Y), ■ ■ ■ are all provable in S' but that ym(4>(m) D<£(ra+1)) is not; (2) for some other predicate <p' of S', we can prove </>'(0) and \/m((p'(m)Z)(p'(m + l)) in S' but not \fm(p'(m). These immediately yield new examples of consistent but w-inconsistent systems. On the other hand, if we choose in 5 and S' suitable (different) definitions for natural numbers, we can prove in S' that if 5 is w-consistent then S' is consistent and also prove in S' the consistency of S, but not the w-consistency of S. This also shows that although S' contains a truth definition for S, we cannot prove in S' that S must possess a standard or nonpathological model. In order to separate two different moments of a truth definition, we shall distinguish between a truth definition and a normal truth definition. If we can find in S' a predicate or a class Tr for which we can prove with regard to the sentences of S all the cases of the Tarski truth schema, we say that S' contains a truth definition for 5. If in addition we can prove in S' that all theo- rems of 5 are true according to the truth definition, then we say that S' contains a normal truth definition for ,S. This rather natural distinction will be assumed throughout this paper. We are greatly indebted to Professors Bernays, Quine, and Rosser who have all generously helped us by scrutinizing our earlier proofs, suggesting criticisms, and pointing out fallacies. 2. A truth definition for Zermelo set theory. Expressions of Zermelo set License or copyright restrictions may apply to redistribution; see https://www.ams.org/journal-terms-of-use 1952] TRUTH DEFINITIONS AND CONSISTENCY PROOFS 245 theory are built up from the set variables Xi, x2, x3, ■ • • and three constants: the sign [ for alternative denial (Sheffer's stroke function, disjunctive nega- tion), the sign V for general or universal quantification (all-operator), and the sign £ for the membership relation (belonging to). Parentheses for group- ing different parts of an expression, although theoretically dispensable, are also employed. A sentence (or well-formed formula) is either of the simple ■form y(E.z or of the complex form p\q or Vyp, where we may substitute in place of y and z any variables, and in place of p and q any sentences. From among the sentences some may be selected as theorems. However, since this section is concerned merely with the construction of a truth definition and not a normal truth definition, the selection of theorems is irrelevant for the considerations here. So just let us imagine for the moment that an arbitrary definite set of sentences are taken as theorems of the Zermelo theory. The problem is to find a suitable system Si in which we can find a class (or a predicate) Tr and prove as theorems the special cases of the Tarski truth schema for all the statements (closed sentences, well-formed formulas containing no free variables) of Zermelo theory. To simplify the structure of the required metasystem, let us assume that the syntax of Zermelo theory (as well as that of every other system we con- sider) has been arithmetized after the manner of Gödel(A Then each expres- sion (and in particular, each statement) is represented by a definite number (say)(2) m. Let H(m) be the expression represented by the number m. The problem is to define in a system Si a class Tr of natural numbers for which the following holds: (TS) For each statement H(m) of Zermelo theory, we can prove in Si'. H(m) if and only if m belongs to Tr. Naturally we can choose the metasystem Si in different manners, and the proof of (TS) would become somewhat easier if the metasystem we use is richer or stronger. However, since one of our purposes is to make explicit the material needed for constructing a truth definition, it seems desirable to choose as weak (or simple) a system as is conveniently possible. The system Si we choose may be roughly described as of equal strength as a second-order predicate calculus founded on natural numbers. It does not seem possible to use any system which is substantially weaker than this system Si (but com- pare the system S2 given below). Si contains variables xi, x2, • • • for elements and variables Xi, X2, • ■ • for classes. Sentences are built up from simple sentences of the forms Xi£zX2 (the element Xi belongs to the element x2), etc. and XirjX2 (the element xi belongs to the class X2), etc. by truth-functional connectives and quantifiers 0 See Gödel [l] and Hilbert-Bernays [l, vol. 2, §4]. (2) In contrast with the variables m, n, etc., the symbols m, n, etc.